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Aurora's 'Joseph' just amazing
(by Herb Hammer - July 22, 2009)
THEATER, BY HERB HAMMER
Aurora's 'Joseph' just amazing
The very first collaboration of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice was the 1968 comic musical "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." Starting as a small-scaled, staged musical choral show, it grew into a full-scale popular musical opera.
Seeing this magical show once or even twice has proven to be not enough, for the production of "Joseph" at Aurora Community Theater is a stunner. Under the direction of John Marchese, the show stands head and shoulders above any effort by any community theater this reviewer has ever seen. And I've seen "Joseph" many times.
Based on an event in the book of Genesis, the plot tells the story of Jacob's favorite son, Joseph. Joseph's jealous brothers sell Joseph into slavery as the story begins. By this time, several songs have already been sung.
The Aurora production features over 40 performers, from children to dancers, the 12 brothers and Jacob. And though the theme depends on the reality of dreams, the songs and stories are bent on good fun.
The songs feature elements of the Charleston, country western and Elvis-style rock 'n' roll. There is some calypso, French ballads and disco. Mr. Webber and Mr. Rice constantly change music style throughout.
What catches your eye mostly is the excellent talent Aurora has brought to the stage. The director uses the entire theater to present the production, including stairways, balconies and every nook and cranny, to pack his huge cast. Best of all, it works and quite well.
After Joseph is sold to an Egyptian millionaire, he rises through the ranks of servants. When the millionaire hears of Joseph's advances to his wife, he jails Joseph.
Through Joseph's amazing talent for interpreting dreams, he is released to the pharaoh. After telling the pharaoh there will be seven years of good times and seven years of bad times, the pharaoh releases him. The pharaoh, in this case, happens to be an Elvis impersonator who frees Joseph to prepare for the future. These are some of the show's best moments.
When Joseph finally meets up with his family, who have come to Egypt to beg for food, things have gone quite bad for them. Food is scarce for his 11 brothers. Joseph has become the most powerful man in Egypt, and his brothers don't realize they are dealing with their brother. Joseph plants a golden cup in brother Benjamin's sack, and the other brothers beg for mercy. Seeing their selflessness, Joseph reveals himself and sends for his father. Their reunion leads to a happy ending as Joseph feeds them all.
The book is a send-up of a portion of the Bible. The characters have no real depth, and even Joseph, played splendidly by Ron Davis, offers him a slim, emotionless role.
Suzanne Davis and Stacy Krekus sing the narration. Usually done by one person, they have been able to make the change quite smoothly.
Best of all is Jason Simmons, as a rock 'n' roll Elvis Presley pharaoh. His appearance takes over the show and offers the only real laughs.
Choreographer Jeney Housel moves the 40-member cast with amazing results. One can only imagine what rehearsals were like.
Music director Ryan Wason gives the show a shot in the arm as he enhances the tuneful score.
Costumes by Kara Yogan and Becky Fussner show uncanny imagination as they mix modern dress with biblical costumes.
Aurora's "Joseph and the Amazing Technical Dreamcoat" is not to be ignored. With just this coming weekend to go, tickets are scarce, so grab what you can.
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